AP - Strokes have tripled in recent years among middle-aged women in the U.S., an alarming trend doctors blame on the obesity epidemic. Nearly 2 percent of women ages 35 to 54 reported suffering a stroke in the most recent federal health survey, from 1999 to 2004. Only about half a percent did in the previous survey, from 1988 to 1994.

AP - PETA thinks Aretha Franklin is no queen of soul when it comes to wearing fur. Franklin was crowned this year's worst-dressed celebrity by the animal rights organization. Her crime: wearing "yet another vulgar fur" at the Grammy Awards.

Reuters - A U.S. Navy warship could try to destroy a defunct spy satellite with a missile late on Wednesday despite earlier concerns about conditions in the Pacific Ocean, officials said.

Reuters - Two U.S. Air Force F-15 fighter planes collided in midair on Wednesday over the Gulf of Mexico near Panama City, Florida, during a training mission, officials said.

AFP - Hillary Clinton admitted Wednesday to a do-or-die struggle in upcoming nominating battles after her 10th successive electoral mauling by White House rival Barack Obama.

Reuters - President George W. Bush said on Wednesday that the United States was not planning to build new military bases in Africa and played down the risk of rivalry with China for influence on the continent.

Reuters - Barack Obama has surged past Hillary Clinton to open a big national lead in the Democratic presidential race, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

AP - Hillary Rodham Clinton is pressing her case that Democratic rival Barack Obama offers little more than words. She spoke to a Youngstown, Ohio, rally on Tuesday night after Obama defeated her in the Wisconsin primary.